Electric lamp



Dec. 14; 1937.

E RUPPEL ELECTRIC LAMP Filed Feb. 21, 19:55

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I iz'wezziar "Ems?" Ku n/ Patented Wee. lid,

Application February ti, i935, Serial No. Him

Gerry Fehrnary 22, lddii claims (or. arc-n23) This invention relates primarily to a switch device for electric lamps, for example, standard lamps, bedside table lamps, and other lighting equipment of various kinds with a covered-in 5 switch which is operated from a point exterior to the cover therefor.

In the use of the usual switch arrangements for electric lamps, for example'in the dark, it is dimcuit to find and actuate the switch, even if the actuating means are made luminous. As, further, in most of the known switch devices the actuating members project, they are exposed to the risk of being damaged. Further, these projecting members are unaesthetic, collect dust and are difficult to clean.

The invention provides a novel switch arrangement which overcomes these drawbacks and which is applicable to electriclight fittings of widely differing kinds.

Broadly, the invention contemplates forming the switch for closing and opening the lamp circuit in such wise that the operation of the switch is eiTected by depression of a member presenting a large surface by exercise of a light pressure only, for instance-that due to the weight of the hand alone, on any part of this surface. and not.

as in the usual switch arrangements, by direct 1 manipulation of a lever. push-button or other projecting element.

- The said member may be incorporated in the lamp assembly or in a structure electrically connected to the lamp. In either case it is an important feature of the invention that it shall be capable of being readily located by the unaided sense of touch.

Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:'

Fig. 1 is a perspective viewshowing the base of a lamp with the formation of the operating member for the switch.

Fig. 2 shows in section one possible arrangementfor- -guiding the movable part." onithestationaryI-part of' the lamp according'tdFlg. 1.

Fig. 3 shows in cross section a modified arrangement for lamps of the type illustrated in Fig 1- Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment in which only a part of the upper face of thelamp base is movable.

Fig. 5 shows a modification similar to Fi 4.

Figs. 6, 7' and Sshow in section further arrangements for transmitting the movement of thelarge-surfaced operating member to the switch.

'F'ig. 9 shows diagrammatically a further modification.

Fig. 10 shows the adaptation of the invention to a standard lamp or upright lamp in which pressure on the shade operates the switch.

Fig. 11 shows a construction similar to'Fig. 10.

In Figs. 1 to 8 the, numeral i designates the stationary base and t the lamp standard, a part only of which is shown.

In the construction according to Fig. 1 the entire upper face of the base is formed after the fashion of a cap 3 which can be moved up and down with the lamp standard 2. Alternatively, the lamp standard (and also the base portion I) may be fixed, in which case the cap 3 is movable relatively to these parts. Further, the lower portion 2a. of the lamp standard maybe connected with the cap and movable therewith, while the part 2 is stationary and se'rves as a guide.

The switch proper, not shown in Figs. 1 to 5, is located in the interior of the base beneath the cap 3 and is operated in suitable manner by depressing the cap.

For example, the cap 3 may be provided with a downturned marginal flange which is guided on the inner wall of the stationary base portion I.

To avoid penetration of dust into the interior of the base portion, the construction may be-as represented in Figs. 2 and 3, in which case the stationary portion I is embraced by the marginal flange 3a of the cap. There may be provided on the flange 3a guide pins 4 or the like which engage slots or the like formed in the stationary base portion I.

In the construction according to Fig. 3 the movable port-ion 3 embraces with its marginal flange 3a. the stationary base portion I, the guide pins 4a, projecting from the stationary base portion and entering slots 41) of the flange 3a.

In the constructions to be described the actuation of the switch is effected by depression of the movable part presenting the'surface 3 which returns automatically toits initial position under the action of a spring or the like when let go.

The switch itself is not a part of the invention, and may consist of a standard type of double action switch. In this type of switch movement of a certain part thereof first operates to close the circuit while subsequent and identical movement serves to open the circuit. This type of switch is well-known in the art and needs no specific description. 7

In the modification according to Figs. 4 and 5 part only of the upper face of the lamp base The parts Sand 5a are adapted to be tilted about a hinge-Joint 6 and embrace with their marginal flanges I, la the upper edges of the stationary part I. I

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8, l0 designates the switch to the contacts of which is led the flexible conductor l I. Three ways of transmitting the movement of the large-surfaced upper part of the lamp base to the switch are illustrated.

When the cover portion l3 (Fig. 6) movable about the hinge i2 is moved downwards, it presses on the arm ll of a double-armed lever ll, I8 rockable about a pivot ii, the other arm I of which lever engages beneath the switch actuator IT or the like which is moved upwardly and thereby operates the switch It. A spring l8 acts to restore the double-armed lever and the cover it to initial position.

In the construction according to Fig. 7 the movement of the cover i3 is transmitted by -means of a projection i9 directly to the pushbutton or knob I'Ia.

The projection 19 presses the button or knob inwards by means 01 an iiiclined surface or tilts it downwards. The spring 20 restores the cover to initial position after each actuation of the switch.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 8 there serves for operating the switch a toggle lever II which also, acts directly on the button l'lb. A spring Hrestoresthe toggle lever and the cover [3 to initial position.

The arrangement of the cover l3 at an inclination as represented in' Figs. 6, '7 and 8 oilers the advantage that articles cannot be laid on the cover it.

Fig. 9 illustrates a construction in which the operating member is in the form of around cap 25 which in this case also covers part only of the surface of the base 26, which latter is also of circular form.

In all the cases described the supporting pillar or carrying member, for the bulb and the lamp shade may be of any suitable form, as, for example, of round or rectangular section.

Figs. 10 and 11 show moiiifications oi the invention in which the lamp shade presents a movable surface for effecting the operation of the switch.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10 the standard lamp has a shade 36 centrally 01' which is the standard 31 which is connected with a plate 38 disposed beneath the shade. The switch 38 of the push-button type is fitted to the plate 38.

The entire upper portion of the lamp is movable vertically relatively to the base 40 which presents an abutment 4! for the switch 39, the spring 42 serving to restore the upper portion to initial position after the operation 01' the. switch.

As will be understood, the operation of the .switch is effected by exercising a light pressure on the lamp shade 36. Also the operation of the switch may be eifected by depressing the portion 30. The supply of current to the lamp is effected in the usual manner.

.In the construction according to Fig. 11, which otherwise agrees with that shown in Fig. 10, the switch 39 is fitted to the base plate It. In this construction current may be led to the iixed base "plate 1..

The above indicated examples of the adaptation of the invention to lighting fittings, which are directly connected with the switch represent only a small selection of the numerous possible arrangements and might be added to.

Such switches may be self-contained or combined with the source of light or with an equipment comprising a motor or the like. For example, they may be built into suction cleaners, hair-dryers, fans and like appliances. In such cases, there are preferably used covers of insulating material which are adapted to the form of the appliance, and the switch device or the switch return mechanism is so contrived that on engaging the appliance the switch is operated to close the circuit and is automatically operated to open the circuit on release.

In all the described cases, besides the advantage that the large-surfaced movable part which eflects the closure of the circuit can be readily or positively found in the dark, there is also realized the advantage that, for example, while working, it is no longer necessary to direct the eye to the lamp or to look for the switch, but the operation 01' the switch can be eii'ected by mere touch of the hand without necessity for diverting the eyes from the work.

I claim:-

1. Electric table light with box-like base. a column disposed on said base" and supporting a lamp, and a double action switch covered in said base and adapted to be operated from the exterior thereof, at least the greater portion of the upper side or the box being formed as a base cover plate, movable relative to the box-like base and connected with the switch so that through pressure exerted from above on said movable plate the switch is operated to circuit-closing position, and, after release of the pressure, remains in this position until action is again exerted on the plate. I s

2. Electric table light with box-like base, a column supporting said: light on said base, a double action switch covered in said base and adapted to be operated from the exterior thereof, at least the greater portion 01' the upper side of said box being formed as a base cover plate, movable relative to the box-like base and connected with the switch so that through pressure exerted from above on said movable plate the switch is operated to circuit-closing position, and after release of the pressure, remains in this position until action is again exerted on the plate, a projection on said cover plate encompassing said lamp column by means of which said cover plate is guided.

3. Electric table light with box-like base, a column supporting the light on said base, a shade for said lamp, 0. double action switch covered in said base and adapted to be operated from the exterior thereof, at least the'greater portion of v the upper side or said box being formed as a. base cover plate, movable relative to the box-like base and connected with the switch so that through pressure exerted from above on said movable plate the switch is operated to circuit closing position, and after release of the pressure, remains in this position until action is again exerted on the plate, said cover plate being rigidly connected with said column and said shade, whereby the switching operation can be initiated by vertical pressure on the shade as well as on the cover plate.

' 4. Electric table light with box-like base, and

- a double action switch coveredin said base and adapted to be operated from the exterior thereoi, at least the greater portion of the upper side or the box formed as a base cover plate, said movable base cover plate being tiltable about a circuit-closing position by pressure on said cover plate producing slight angular movement thereof. a spring to oppose movement of said cover plate and tendingto carry said cover plate into its initial position, said switch remaining in closed position until subsequent pressure is applied to said cover plate. v

5. Electric table light with box-like base, a column including a lamp, a double action switch covered in said base and adapted to be operated from the exterior thereof, at least the greater portion of the upper side of the box being'iormed as a base cover plate, said plate, having associated therewith a collar embracing said column, being movable relative to the box-like base and connected with the switch so that through pressure exerted from above on said movable plate the switch is operated to circuit-closing position, and after release of thepressure, remains in this position until action is again exerted on the plate.

ERNST RUPPEL. 

